What to See in Nieuwpoort, Belgium: Free Audio Guide

Nieuwpoort is a Belgian seaside town where a modern marina and sandy coastal areas meet the layered wartime history of the Flanders region. Located along the North Sea and the Yser River, it offers travelers a unique mix of maritime atmosphere, historic architecture, and solemn memorials. Neywo features a free audio guide for Nieuwpoort with 6 narrated places to help you explore.

For visitors looking for what to see in Nieuwpoort, the town combines medieval ruins, reconstructed historic landmarks, and vital waterways shaped by the First World War.

What to See in Nieuwpoort

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk

Located in the centre of Nieuwpoort, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is a three-aisled Gothic hall church whose long brick form reflects a history of repeated destruction and rebuilding. Its northern tower stands almost independently from the main building, while the brick Neo-Gothic tower was built in 1952 in a variation of typical coastal tower designs. The church’s origins reach back to 1163, and though destroyed during the First World War, it was rebuilt according to its original plans in 1922.

Sint-Laurentiustoren

Standing at the corner of Willem de Roolaan and Emiel Coppietersstraat, the Sint-Laurentiustoren—known locally as the Duvetorre—is a protected tower ruin and a rare surviving fragment of Nieuwpoort’s medieval past. This solitary tower is all that remains of the former medieval parish church of Sint-Laurentius, which was destroyed when Nieuwpoort was besieged by the English in 1383.

Sint-Bernarduskerk

Situated at Sint-Bernardusplein in Nieuwpoort-Bad, the Sint-Bernarduskerk serves as the parish church for this part of the town, fitting quietly into the local coastal setting.

The Yser River and Ganzepoot

The Yser, or IJzer, is the only river that flows directly into the sea on Belgian territory. Near Nieuwpoort, it flows through the Ganzepoot lock complex before meeting the North Sea. During the First World War Battle of the Yser, sluices here were opened to flood the polder land between Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide, creating a water barrier that stopped the German advance.

Nieuport Memorial

Near the mouth of the River Yser, the Nieuport Memorial honors British officers and soldiers with no known grave who were killed during the Siege of Antwerp in 1914 or while defending the Western Front between June and November 1917. Designed by architect William Bryce Binnie with sculptures by Charles Sargeant Jagger, the site features an eight-metre limestone pylon and bronze panels carrying 547 names. Since 2023, it has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage inscription for First World War cemeteries and memorial sites.

King Albert I Memorial

Set directly beside the Yser River and the Ganzepoot lock complex outside the old town, the King Albert I Memorial is a war memorial honoring King Albert I and Belgian troops of the First World War. The monument features a distinctive circular rotunda design with an equestrian statue of the king at its center.

Explore Nieuwpoort with a Free Audio Guide

If you want to discover the city at your own pace, you can use the free audio guide for Nieuwpoort to explore 6 narrated locations across the destination.

Neywo offers 1 walking tour in Nieuwpoort: “Nieuwpoort: Rebuilt Ruins and the Yser Memorials”, a 1.69 km walk lasting about 50 minutes with 4 narrated stops.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, making it easy to dive into the maritime character and wartime history of Belgium.

While exploring the area, you can also plan day trips to nearby Flemish destinations such as Ostend or Ypres.